Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management
This Executive Order, signed in April 2025 by President Trump, revokes two prior space-management policies that had directed federal agencies to locate facilities in central business districts (Executive Order 12072, 1978) and to favor historic properties in central cities (Executive Order 13006, 1996). The order states its purpose as placing federal offices where people are and focusing on cost-effective facilities to improve government services for taxpayers. It directs the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to amend relevant regulations to align with the new policy and requires agencies to conform to the order to the extent allowed by law. The document emphasizes that it does not create new legal rights and that implementation must respect existing law and available appropriations.
Key Points
- 1Repeals/withdrawing prior space-location guidance: Executive Orders 12072 (CBD-focused siting) and 13006 (historic properties in central cities) are revoked.
- 2Regulatory updates: The GSA Administrator must amend Title 41, parts 102-79 and 102-83 of the Code of Federal Regulations and take other steps needed to implement the new policy.
- 3Scope of applicability: Agencies that acquire or use space outside the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) must conform to this order to the extent allowed by law.
- 4Policy aim: Frees agencies to choose cost-effective office space locations that better support mission performance and taxpayer value, rather than being confined to CBDs or historic districts.
- 5Legal framework: Nothing in the order is meant to impair agency authority or OMB budget functions; the order is implemented consistent with law and appropriations, and it does not create enforceable rights in law or equity.